New Qi-Compatible Google Nexus 7 Launches As First Tablet With Wireless Charging

PISCATAWAY, N.J., July 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The new Google Nexus 7 is the first tablet to feature Qi, the world's most widely-adopted wireless charging standard, according to Google's announcement this week at its "Breakfast with Sundar Pichai" event.

The announcement marks another milestone for Qi, as the only wireless charging technology available with new devices like the Google Nexus 7 tablet and smartphones including the Motorola Droid Razr MAXX, Samsung Galaxy S4, Nokia Lumia 1020, and Google Nexus 4.

"When you cut through the hype, standards adoption is driven by consumers buying products they love," said WPC Chairman Menno Treffers. "We're seeing a surge of new products with wireless charging because users recognize how much better their charging experience is with Qi."

Already featured in over 200 mobile phones and accessories, the rapidly expanding Qi ecosystem is designed to deliver power quickly and easily, where people need it most: in homes, offices, cars and public locations. Today, mobile carriers worldwide including AT&T, China Mobile, NTT DoCoMo, O2, Sprint, Telefonica, T-Mobile and Verizon, sell millions of phones integrated with Qi.

In addition, Qi is available in automobiles including the 2014 Jeep Cherokee and the Toyota Avalon and Prius, and is used to charge devices in more places than any other wireless charging solution.

Now, Qi is working to extend its specification to include full spatial freedom, expanding the number of devices which can be simultaneously charged, and compatibility with new products like higher power tablets, PC ultrabooks and notebooks, and cordless kitchen appliances while ensuring backward compatibility with the existing Qi ecosystem.

About Qi and the Wireless Power ConsortiumIn December 2008 a group of leading consumer electronics companies created the Wireless Power Consortium to establish Qi as the interoperable global standard for wireless power. The more than 150 members of the WPC include Blackberry, ConvenientPower, Energizer, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Panasonic, Royal Philips, Samsung, Sony, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, Verizon Wireless, and infrastructure providers such as wireless operators, furniture, and automotive parts companies. As the leading wireless charging standard worldwide, Qi has brought more than 200 new wireless charging products to market. Qi products are available in North America, South America, Asia Pacific, Europe, India, Africa, and Australia.